University students' attitudes toward purchasing condoms

Abstract

This study assessed participants' attitudes regarding purchasing condoms as well as factors associated with emotional comfort in purchasing them. Participants were 244 university students who were asked about their educational, cultural, and family backgrounds; previous experiences and attitudes in purchasing (or otherwise obtaining) condoms; experience and knowledge about topics directly relevant to sexuality; personality traits; and parent-child sexual communication. Zero-order correlation and multiple regression analyses were used to identify predictors of emotional comfort in purchasing condoms. Regression results demonstrated that lower religiosity, more favourable attitudes toward birth control, lower neuroticism, and greater parent-child sexual communication predicted comfort in purchasing condoms. Qualitative analyses revealed that individuals who purchased condoms typically reported either feeling embarrassed and concerned about being exposed or that they had acted appropriately and responsibly. Findings from this study provide key information about emerging adults' comfort in purchasing condoms and have important implications for enhancing sexual education programs.